- Wheel-lift tow trucks: These trucks have a hydraulic lift that raises the vehicle's wheels off the ground, allowing it to be towed with all four wheels off the ground. This is the most common type of tow truck and is used for a variety of purposes, including towing disabled vehicles, illegally parked vehicles, and abandoned vehicles.
- Flatbed tow trucks: These trucks have a flatbed that can be lowered to the ground, allowing vehicles to be loaded onto the truck. Flatbed tow trucks are often used to transport vehicles that are damaged or too low to be towed with a wheel-lift tow truck.
- Hook-and-chain tow trucks: These trucks have a hook and chain that is used to attach to the vehicle being towed. Hook-and-chain tow trucks are often used to tow vehicles that are inoperable or have been in an accident.
- Integrated tow trucks: These trucks combine the features of a wheel-lift tow truck and a flatbed tow truck. They have a hydraulic lift that can raise the vehicle's wheels off the ground, as well as a flatbed that can be lowered to the ground. Integrated tow trucks are often used for towing vehicles that are damaged or too low to be towed with a wheel-lift tow truck, but that are also too heavy to be loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.
Tow trucks are essential for a variety of purposes, including:
- Towing disabled vehicles: Tow trucks can be called to tow vehicles that have broken down or been in an accident.
- Recovering stolen vehicles: Tow trucks can be used to recover stolen vehicles that have been abandoned.
- Towing illegally parked vehicles: Tow trucks can be called to tow illegally parked vehicles that are blocking traffic or parked in a restricted area.
- Repossessing vehicles: Tow trucks can be used to repossess vehicles that have not been paid for.
- Transporting vehicles: Tow trucks can be used to transport vehicles from one location to another, such as from a dealership to a customer's home.
